'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *LAST UPDATE 03Aug13*

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Pen Pusher
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'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *LAST UPDATE 03Aug13*

Post by Pen Pusher »

70 years ago a new hard runway was laid down close to the village of Stansted Mountfitchet for what became the 9th largest U.S. Air Force base in East Anglia. Known as 'George Washington Field', it was home to the 344th Bomb Group consisting of four squadrons of B-26 Marauder bomber's but today is operating passenger airliners and now called London Stansted Airport. As part of the celebrations the TFC P-47 Thunderbolt, 'SNAFU', spent a couple of hours on the ground at Stansted in amongst the airliners. On its return to Duxford late Friday afternoon, Stu Goldspink then gave a superb 20+ minute display over the airfield the majority of which I watched instead of photographing.

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And what's the first thing a display pilot does on a very hot day to cool down?

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I should point out they weren't both for him.

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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - 26Jul13

Post by duxfordhawk »

Stunning photos of what sounds like a magical moment, thanks for sharing.
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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - 26Jul13

Post by Pen Pusher »

Sunday 28Jul13

Draw your own conclusion. :whistle:

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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *UPDATED 28Jul13*

Post by cw318is »

Bye Snafu :wave:

Brian I know TFC's engineers normally work pretty quickly on this sort of job, do you know when they are actually dissassembling the main parts?
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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *UPDATED 28Jul13*

Post by Pen Pusher »

It's not TFC engineers dismantling it. Two American's from Comanche Fighters LLC are doing the honours and it could be any time during the week when the wings come of. Just have to keep an eye out for when a container and a crane turn up.

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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *UPDATED 28Jul13*

Post by Hasboman »

Very sad - having followed her restoration from the beginning it'll be tough to see her go.

Bye SNAFU :sad:

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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *UPDATED 28Jul13*

Post by Maisie »

Proper gutted, still haven't seen her! :down:
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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *UPDATED 28Jul13*

Post by 8674planes »

So it seems rumors are true. I think this is the time to thank TFC and Stephen Grey for spending the time, money and resources in restoring this rare and beautiful P-47G Thunderbolt.
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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *UPDATED 01Aug13*

Post by Pen Pusher »

The de-construction continues and the two containers to transport 'SNAFU' to to its new home turned up today.

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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *UPDATED 01Aug13*

Post by MRTT »

Farewell SNAFU! Hope her new owners treat her well! :sad:
Last edited by MRTT on Thu 11 Feb 2016, 11:44 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *UPDATED 01Aug13*

Post by Maisie »

Where abouts is she off to, I haven't seen who has bought her, or is that info still not around?

Nice photos btw Brian..
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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *UPDATED 01Aug13*

Post by timuss »

Comanche Fighters based in Texas i believe.
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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *UPDATED 01Aug13*

Post by Pen Pusher »

02Aug13

Penultimate update.

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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *UPDATED 02Aug13*

Post by Pat Murphy »

In the words of Unlucky Alf from The Fast Show.............Bugger! :sad:

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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *FINAL UPDATE 03Aug13*

Post by Pen Pusher »

03Aug13

Many thanks to Randy and John, from the good ol' U.S. of A, for the hours of entertainment they provided not only in dismantling 'SNAFU' but 'Princess Elizabeth' as well and for them putting up with us photographers for getting in the way.

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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *LAST UPDATE 03Aug13*

Post by hmeasures »

:sad:

I must have bumped into you at one point, about 1:15pm... I was in the green hoodie.

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Goodbye, SNAFU. by Harry Measures, on Flickr

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Goodbye, SNAFU. by Harry Measures, on Flickr

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Goodbye, SNAFU. by Harry Measures, on Flickr

Wish I'd have had more than 15 minutes to grab some shots, TBH. Like your shot of them loading her into her container.

Where's she going?

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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *LAST UPDATE 03Aug13*

Post by Handler »

Brilliant set, showing the dismantling and loading, well done! At least manged to get some reasonable pics of her in action.
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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *LAST UPDATE 03Aug13*

Post by Disaster Area »

Bye, Bye SNAFU, only got to see you display once but you were stunning!!

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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *LAST UPDATE 03Aug13*

Post by Inthrustwetrust »

Sorry to hijack the thread slightly as 'Snafu' is one that got away from me too, but in the background of some of the pictures is what looks like the Beaufighter.

Is it? And does anyone know the status please?
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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *LAST UPDATE 03Aug13*

Post by hmeasures »

Inthrustwetrust wrote:Sorry to hijack the thread slightly as 'Snafu' is one that got away from me too, but in the background of some of the pictures is what looks like the Beaufighter.

Is it? And does anyone know the status please?
Cheers
Dave


Yes it is a Beaufighter, not been any noticeable progress on it for ages now. I heard they were struggling to source engines but I've no idea if that's the situation or not.

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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *LAST UPDATE 03Aug13*

Post by AlexC »

So no flying P-47's in the UK again. Don't suppose that we'll see one here again, although never say never :sad:
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Re: 'SNAFU' @ Duxford - *LAST UPDATE 03Aug13*

Post by FarnboroJohn »

hmeasures wrote:
Inthrustwetrust wrote:Sorry to hijack the thread slightly as 'Snafu' is one that got away from me too, but in the background of some of the pictures is what looks like the Beaufighter.

Is it? And does anyone know the status please?
Cheers
Dave


Yes it is a Beaufighter, not been any noticeable progress on it for ages now. I heard they were struggling to source engines but I've no idea if that's the situation or not.

Harry.


I heard (a few years ago now) that the real problem is engine related but in fact is to do with the vacuum system. They had hoped to use non-Beaufighter Hercules engines but these offer positive rather than negative pressure pumps. Or it could be the other way round, my memory being what it is. But that's the root of it. Change the entire system (Design Authority job) or source the parts.

John

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